Exclusive by Alan Quick

CREDITON Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Town Council are delighted to announce the imminent arrival of  “Alice” to the town.

The Town Council and Chamber of Commerce are jointly sponsoring an otter statue officially named "Otterly Alice" as part of Dartmoor National Park’s Public Arts Initiative.

It will be displayed in Crediton from Thursday, June 1 to Friday, September 15 and will be on display at shops and business premises and other locations in the town.

Crediton Town Councillor Heather Sansom, explained: “Alice is one of 100 individually-designed Otters and each is a unique piece of art painted, creatively by artists from around the country, which are to be displayed within and around Dartmoor and its gateway towns.

“A total of 30,000 booklets will be available showing the route around this magical art trail which is a huge treasure hunt with a real buzz for everyone.

“They feature the location of all the 100 Otters and, of course, the route to Crediton.

“Each Otter has a unique identification number to be recorded for entry into the competition.

“Prizes range from weekends away to hampers of chocolates!”

Heather added that the main supporter of the art trail is South West Water, the company which draws 40 per cent of its water from Dartmoor.

Heather continued: “Visitors to Crediton’s vibrant High Street will have the opportunity to make purchases of every conceivable variety from our local traders, events organisers, suppliers of sustenance and whatever anyone has to offer, or to barter!

“The start date of the event coincides with the start date of CredFest, the three-week Crediton Festival, and Crediton Parish Church Flower Festival.  It also covers seven Farmers’ Markets.

“This is a great opportunity for a stroll around our Square with its now famous ambience and to relax in our beautiful parks and top-of-the range play area.”

Dartmoor National Park is largely funded by a DEFRA grant (not Council Tax) which has been reduced by 40 per cent in recent years, although now protected until 2020.

One of its statutory purposes is "to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and wildlife of the park."

The otter is a globally threatened and protected species with a stronghold in the moor’s rivers and blanket bogs.  The conservation projects run by the national park authority include: protecting the delicate eco-balance; updating the pathways to provide access for all; wheelchair accessible gates; training for conservationists of the future - 13+ years - in hard and soft skills and repairing nine kilometres of overworn areas.

Following the trail, the Otter statues will feature in a “live” auction at Bearnes of Exeter on Saturday, September 30, beginning at 2pm and bids can also be made in an on-line auction.